Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 3.djvu/162

158 them as the genuine effusions of the mind, which expresses a real passion in the language of nature. But the truth is, these elegies have neither passion, nature, nor manners. Where there is fiction, there is no passion; he that describes himself as a shepherd, and his Neæra or Delia as a shepherdess, and talks of goats and lambs, feels no passion. He that courts his mistress with Roman imagery deserves to lose her; for she may with good reason suspect his sincerity. Hammond has few sentiments drawn from nature, and few images from modern life. He produces nothing but frigid pedantry. It would be hard to find in all his productions three stanzas that deserve to be remembered.

Like other lovers, he threatens the lady with dying; and what then shall follow? Wilt thou in tears thy lover’s corse attend;
 * With eyes averted light the solemn pyre,

Till all around the doleful flames ascend,
 * Then slowly sinking, by degrees expire?

To sooth the hovering soul be thine the care,
 * With plaintive cries to lead the mournful band;

In sable weeds the golden vase to bear,
 * And cull my ashes with thy trembling hand: